Bronxville's Name Goes Beyond Its Borders

By

Maya Pope-Chappell

November 5, 2011

Bronxville is an easy retreat from the bustle of New York City.

Located 15 miles north of Midtown, the English-style village features tree-lined streets, charming homes and a small-town feel. Its schools and train link make it an increasingly popular suburban location for Manhattan commuters with families.

ENLARGE

Shops and cafés at Park Place and Pondfield Road in Bronxville.
Krisanne Johnson for The Wall Street Journal

"Growing up, Bronxville was much more of a sleepy town," said Rita Steinkamp, a Houlihan Lawrence broker who has sold homes in the Westchester County area for more than 30 years. "Now it's bustling on weekends and hard to find a parking space."

The village covers one square mile and is located in the town of Eastchester. In its center is a string of small shops, restaurants and offices. The center also features a cluster of civic buildings known as Four Corners, which includes the library, Village Hall, a church and the public school.

"The downtown aspect of the village has always been a great attraction to those who live there and certainly for a prospective buyer," said Bronxville Real Estate agent Carol Conway who was raised in Bronxville. "It's very picturesque."

The housing stock is a mix of co-ops, condos, townhouses and a variety of stately colonials and Tudors. Lawrence Park, a historic district made up of narrow, meandering streets, has eclectic, shingle-style homes where many prominent writers and artists lived at the turn of the century.

The chief of the Mohican Indians is said to have signed over a deed transferring the land that was to become Bronxville to white settlers in the mid-1600s.

During the 18th century, the area grew into a farming community. In 1898, the village was incorporated within the town of Eastchester. Over time, the village has evolved from a small settlement of farm, orchard, factory and estate land to a wealthy suburb.

Bronxville is surrounded by Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Mount Vernon and Yonkers, each of which with areas that have Bronxville postal addresses. Based on listed and sold proprieties since the start of the year, the median sales price for a home in Bronxville is $718,000, according to the real-estate website Trulia.com. That compares with $585,000 in Eastchester, $492,500 in Tuckahoe, $385,638 in Mount Vernon and $380,000 in Yonkers.

"People are confident about buying and staying in Bronxville village because of the resale value," Ms. Steinkamp said. "No matter what the economy is like, [Bronxville] always performs well because people still want the best school for their children and an easy commute."

But the school system comes with a hefty price. Some buyers choose to avoid the village's property taxes by moving to environs with Bronxville postal addresses just outside the village proper.

For a four- to five-bedroom home in the village, Ms. Steinkamp says the average property taxes are roughly $50,000. That's compared with $25,000, $34,000 and 18,000 for parts of Mount Vernon, Tuckahoe and Yonkers that have a Bronxville address, respectively.

Some empty-nesters also move outside the village to escape the tax burden. That was the case for Karen Talbot and her husband who now live in a Cotswold Tudor with a Bronxville address in Mount Vernon.

"Why should I live in the village and pay those high taxes when we don't have anyone in the school system," Ms. Talbot said.

The village also attracts seniors to its co-ops and condos because of the pedestrian-friendly village.

ENLARGE

As for drawbacks, Victoria Carter, a real-estate agent who has lived in the area since the 1980s, said, "It's a small town, which might not be for everyone."

Schools: The Bronxville Union Free School District is made up of the Bronxville School, which comprises the public elementary, middle and high schools.

In 2010, after four years of instruction, 95% of the public high-school students received a proficient score on the English exam, and 97% of students received a proficient score on the math test. For high-school students who graduated in 2009 after four years of instruction, the results were 96% for English and 95% for math.

Private schools include the Chapel School with classes from prekindergarten through eighth grade and St. Joseph School with classes from kindergarten through eighth grade. Higher-education options include Concordia College and nearby liberal-arts school Sarah Lawrence College.

Transportation: For trips to and from New York City, there's the Metro-North Harlem Line at the Bronxville station. The morning commute to Grand Central Terminal takes about half an hour.

Shopping: The center of the village offers a host of shops such as clothing boutiques, antique and gift shops, independent bookstores and art galleries. There are also banks, drugstores and health-food stores. The bulk of the shops are located along Pondfield Road and Kraft Avenue.

Dining: There are several restaurant options in the village. Some include Il Bacio Trattoria, an Italian restaurant; Underhills Crossing, which serves American cuisine with a French flair; Sammy's Downtown Bistro and Bar; and recently opened Gourmet 2 Go Marketplace and Catering, which offers gourmet and specialty foods.

Parks: When not being used for school activities, the Bronxville School opens its facilities such as the running track, football field and three small fields to the public. Bicentennial Park is an outdoor garden with benches and paved areas. For tennis, there's Dogwood Park, which is a 2.4-acre tennis complex.

There's also a footpath that borders the Bronx River. Nearby is the private Siwanoy Country Club.

$3.295 million, 34 Sunnybrook Rd.

This six-bedroom colonial is located in Yonkers, but it has a Bronxville postal address. Measuring about 6,300 square feet, it has four wood-burning fireplaces, five full bathrooms and two half baths.

Price Comparison: $523 a square foot compared with an average of $590 for similar listings in the area

Listing History: On the market since July 2010 with one price cut

Property Plus: Large formal rooms and original features

Property Minus: Kitchen and most bathrooms need an update

Agents: Susan Kelty Law/Barbara Kerrigan of Houlian Lawrence

Open House: Saturday, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

$3.995 million, 42 Elm Rock Rd.

This colonial with six bedrooms, five full bathrooms and two half baths, was renovated in 2005. Measuring some 5,800 square feet, the home has oak floors, a gourmet kitchen and a stone patio.

Price Comparison: $689 a square foot, compared with an average of $636 for similar listings in the area

Listing History: On the market since April with one price cut

Property Plus: Completely renovated with high-end finishes

Property Minus: The garage isn't attached to the house.

Agent: Kathleen Collins of Sotheby's International Realty

Open House: Saturday, noon-2 p.m. with appointment only

$1.799 million, 5 Rittenhouse Rd.

This Tudor home is along the Siwanoy golf course in the town of Eastchester, but it has a Bronxville address. The 5,525-square-foot home has seven bedrooms and 5½ bathrooms.

Price Comparison: $326 a square foot, compared with an average of $445 for similar listings in the area

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